Leicester City 2-0 Sheffield United: Gray and Perez help Foxes get back to winning ways

Brendan Rodgers stopped the Leicester meltdown on a day when the city received the green light to ease once more out of its coronavirus lockdown.

Ayoze Perez and Demarai Gray scored the goals as Rodgers’ team outplayed and beat Sheffield United to boost their hopes of qualification for the Champions League.

It was only their second victory in seven games since the Premier League restart. This miserable run of form culminated in a 4-1 defeat Bournemouth on Sunday.

Demarai Gray’s goal ensured Leicester saw off Sheffield United to register a crucial victory

Manager Brendan Rodgers will be relieved as it keeps his side in contention for a top four finish

Rodgers wanted solidity after the debacle of the second half collapse on the south coast, although he was short of players with Caglar Soyuncu banned, and Ben Chilwell and James Maddison among the injured.

It meant a debut at wing-back for teenager Luke Thomas and a return to the heart of the back-three and first appearance since February for 36-year-old club captain Wes Morgan.

Leicester survived an early scare, when James Justin, blocked an early sight of goal for David McGoldrick, and settled into a steady rhythm, dominating possession and eking out the occasional chance.

Leicester celebrate after breaking the deadlock in the first half through Ayoze Perez (R)

Forward Perez embraces teenage debutant Luke Thomas who provided him with the assist 

Dean Henderson made a save with a boot to keep out a low drive from Jamie Vardy and another to deny Perez at the back post.

Nineteen-year-old Thomas performed with confidence. He was composed on the ball going forward and aware of his defensive responsibilities. Perhaps this was a clue to the reasons they might he prepared to listen to big-money offers for Chilwell who is admired by Chelsea or Manchester City.

Thomas’ delivery from wide areas was excellent and he supplied the pass for the opening goal, cut short and square to find Perez who fired it crisply into the bottom corner, his first goal since a pair against West Ham in January.

Jamie Vardy struck the woodwork for Leicester in the second half as they sought another goal

Sheffield United were far from their best and did not muster a single effort on target in a disappointing first half.

Chris Wilder made his feelings clear with three half-time changes and the visitors moved the ball with greater urgency but could easily have slipped further behind when Jamie Vardy was released by Youri Tielemans.

Vardy, the Premier League’s top scorer, sprinted clear in an inside left channel and thumped a shot against the outside of a post. He should have been celebrating his 24th goal of the Premier League season and he knew it.

Demarai Gray made sure of Leicester’s win as he finished off a counter attack late in the game

Henderson made two more saves to frustrate Leicester and keep the Blades in the contest, both from Harvey Barnes, both chances created by Vardy passes.

Wilder changed tactics and switched to a back-four when he sent on Billy Sharp and finally saw his side force a save from Schmeichel.

John Egan climbed high and headed a corner down into the legs of Jack O’Connell and the Leicester goalkeeper was alert to make sure the ricochet did not bounce into the goal.

Substitute Gray settled the nerves with the second goal, beating Henderson after another swift and incisive counter-attack and a final pass from Vardy.

Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick looks to play a quick pass as Wilfried Ndidi chases

Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel attempts to stop the ball going out for a corner

The Danish shot stopper leaps up high to punch a ball clear after a dangerous Blades set play

James Justin controls the ball as Sheffield United midfielder Ben Osborn keeps the pressure

Vardy had a good chance to score in the early stages of the game at the King Power Stadium